BROWNSVILLE – Dinosaurs may have roamed the Earth millions of years ago, but now they have made their way back to the Gladys Porter Zoo (GPZ). It has been six years since dinosaurs last visited the Zoo, and the Dinosaur Safari exhibit will be open through Sunday, July 6.

The Zoo makes an effort to reintroduce visitors to dinosaurs every few years. Each time the dinosaurs return to the zoo, the staff selects new species along with visitor favorites like the T-Rex.

Visitors will be able to see dinosaurs from different eras, such as the Jurassic and Late Crustaceous, from predators like the T-Rex to others that were preyed upon and others that glided through the air. Though not real, the dinosaurs resemble a living dinosaur in its actual form, moving and vocalizing, through the work of Billing Productions, a world leader in the design and development of animatronics for zoos, museums and theme parks.

The zoo staff has replicated the dinosaurs’ habitats, based on paleontologists’ theories. Visitors can view lush, green foliage throughout the exhibit as they walk back in time.

Children and adults can pretend to be a paleontologist and dig for fossils at a station located near the exit. A rubbing station is also available for visitors to use.

The exhibit will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. An additional cost of $3 will be charged at the entrance to the exhibit located in the Special Events building.

According to Sergio Garcia, the zoo’s education curator, classes and camps will be available throughout the exhibit’s duration. For more information, call 546-7187.